Draft Report on Appropriate Technology within the United Nations System: Background Paper

This draft report provides an overview of the conceptual frameworks, policies, and activities related to environmentally sound and appropriate technology within the UN system as of 1978. It examines the diverse interpretations of "appropriate technology" across agencies, highlighting the lack of consensus while emphasizing common goals such as resource efficiency, employment generation, and environmental sustainability. The document reviews sector-specific initiatives—from housing and health to agriculture and industry—showcasing efforts to adapt technologies to local needs. It also underscores UNEP's catalytic role in fostering inter-agency coordination and building a global network of institutions to promote these technologies. The report serves as a foundational background paper for thematic joint programming, aiming to align UN-wide strategies with the objectives of ecological balance and socio-economic development.